How to Talk to Difficult People: Proven Strategies to Stop Arguments & Feel Connected Again

The Mel Robbins Podcast

SiriusXM Podcasts

Education, Mental Health, Relationships, Self-improvement, Society & Culture, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 10.6K Ratings

🗓️ 3 July 2025

⏱️ 71 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode is your playbook for having saner, smarter, and more successful conversations, even when you disagree. If every dinner turns into a debate… If you feel like you're having the same argument on repeat… If you're avoiding certain topics, work events, or even your family and friends altogether… It might feel like your life is shrinking. And you’re not alone. People around the world are feeling the disconnect. That’s why Mel called in a world-class expert to give you the blueprint for finally getting through to other people without blowing up, backing down, or bottling it up. Today, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Charles Duhigg joins Mel to share science-backed strategies and tools to stop arguing and start connecting again, even when you completely disagree. Whether it’s politics, parenting, or that one comment that always sets you off, you’ll learn how to say what needs to be said and actually be heard. You’ll learn: -The #1 mistake that keeps arguments going (and how to break the cycle) -What to say when someone shuts down or refuses to budge -The single biggest mistake you make when you argue -How to change someone’s mind (yes, really). -Proven and simple scripts to disarm difficult people -The psychological secret that instantly shifts tense conversations Because your relationships depend on this. The right conversation, at the right time, with the right tools, is how things shift. That’s how connection happens. This is not about “agreeing to disagree.” It’s about knowing exactly what to say, so you can stay close to the people who matter most – and maybe even change their minds in the process. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next, with trial lawyer and communication expert Jefferson Fisher: Communicate with Confidence: The Blueprint for Mastering Every Conversation Connect with Mel: Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins podcast.
0:08.7	Okay, tell me if this sounds familiar.
0:11.7	You're at the dinner table or you're sitting in a car with someone you love or you're on the phone and then it happens.
0:18.2	Someone makes a comment, the tone shifts, you know the kind. It stinks. Or it's just, ugh. And suddenly, you're not having a conversation. You're in a standoff. One word turns into a lecture. One look. Next thing you know you're arguing. And now you're stuck. Do you keep the peace, say nothing? Do you speak your mind
0:39.7	and then brace for the fallout? Or do you just agree to disagree? Sound familiar? I know it does
0:46.4	because I hear it from you every single day in the inbox. You're writing to me and saying things
0:52.8	like, Mel, my husband and I are talking past
0:55.5	each other. It's like we're having two different conversations. Mel, every time I talk to my
0:59.6	brother-in-law, it turns into a debate. Mel, I'm dreading going home because I know it's going to be
1:04.9	an attack. So how do you talk to your family when you don't agree? When it's not just a difference of opinion,
1:12.0	it's a crack in your relationship. Well, that's what you and I are going to talk about today
1:16.7	because there is another way, a way to say what you need to say without starting the same
1:22.8	fight over and over again, a way to feel close even when you don't see eye to eye. So if you're ready
1:30.0	to stop avoiding the issue and learn how to finally speak to the people you care about without
1:36.2	losing the relationship, you and I are going to have a conversation today about how to connect
1:42.3	when there's a disconnect. Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins podcast. I am so excited that you're
1:59.7	here. It's always such an honor to be able to spend
2:02.2	time together with you. I also want to take a moment. If you're new to the podcast, I want to
2:06.8	personally welcome you to the Mel Robbins podcast family. You have picked a winner of a conversation
2:11.8	to listen to. I'm glad you're here. And because you made the time to hit play on this particular
2:17.4	episode today, here's what I know
2:18.8	about you. You're not only the kind of person who values your time, you're also someone who
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from SiriusXM Podcasts, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of SiriusXM Podcasts and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.